Egyptian hippo

When you want a gift with a difference, it always pays to scour the major museums' shops. The British Museum in London is the source for this Ancient Egyptian Hippo.

While displaying some of the qualities we look for in more mainstream toys - exquisite colour, attractive form, a tactile feel - it also has the added benefit of being officially educational. Bestow this on your favourite youngster, and you could be opening the door to a lifelong interest in history. Or hippos.